The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-10
HAWAIIAN HISTORY.
Facts That Show the Emptiness of Ex-
Premier Gibson's Talk.

| with Hawaiian affairs, yesterday, that Walter
ously that the United States government has
/ designs on the islands. believe he also said
/ that this government would not take kindly to
the recent changes in the little sea grit kingdom
/ This last statement think. is infuen ced solely
| by personal reasons So far as tho designs of
the United States government on Hawaii are
concerned there Is no need for mystery; they are
apparent and easily accounted for.
"In the first place, the Hawaiian islands are
situated in nearly the centre of the Pacific. and
therefore would make an excellent coaling and
| supply station for Pacific naval squadrons, par
! ticularly those of the European powers, VINO
| have now only the Asiatic coast to depend upon
| in that respect Even there the privilege hangs
| upon the slim thread of International friendship.
| In cases of war with Asiatc countries the base
of supplies would be removed to remote and in
| convenient stations. The European powers par
ticularly England and Germany. were not slow
in perceivIng the advantages the islands would
afford, and far back 1850, long before the
United States government dreamed of interest
ing itself in that direction. these powers sought
to gain foothod the islands.
Various circumstances interfered with these
schemes of annexation until about fifteen years
ago, when the fight for possession began in
downright earnest. The sugar industry of
time. and Germany sent out large numbers of
laborers to work on the plantations This was
clearly for the purpose of establishing German
interests in the kingdom, to afford pretext for
decisive action should any slight difficulty oc-
Cured between the planters and laborers. The
convenient proximity of the islands to the
simple bar to Germany project of colonization.
With the development of the sugar industry
came An influx of American capitalists and ar
tIsans that soon overwhelmed. in mum bers and
monetary in Investments, all other foreign ele-
ments. Germany then wisely drew out of the
struggle.
ENGLAND, however. was blind to all but her
own interests, which ranked next to those of
the United States in a commercial point of view.
With the death of King Lnnailo the throne be-
came vacant. as there were no direct heirs. The
ELECTION of new ruler was, of course, necessary.
Kalakaua and Queen Emma. widow of Kane
hameha ". were the only available candidates.
Kalakaua favored the American interests, be-
he saw the commercial advantages of
friendly relations with the nearest foreign
power. Queen Emma however, was susceptible
to the hatteriug advances of the English resi-
dents, VINO had foreseen just such an emporium
ity and had been preparing for it. Thinking
that Queen Emma the most popular with
the natives and therefore more likely to be
elected sovereign in the event Of King Lunalilo's
DEATH they brought their influence to bear
upon her to such degree that she upheld
British interests to the exclusion of all others.
well week or two prior to the day an
nounced for the election two English men of
war arrived in port. and had 1t not been for the
timely arrival of the United States steamer
Portsmouth and the PROMPT action of Command
err Belknap the result of the riot which followed
King Kalakaus election to the throne would
have been far different. The English naval
forces took part in quellinc the disturbance.
and when the rioting fiercest the officers OF
the two British vessels were consulting with
Queen Emma at her residence Beretania
(British) street That attempt proved a failure
owing to the determined stand taken by Com
mander Belknap. but nearly three years later
the admiral of the British fleet performed a
coup that for bodness has not since been equaled.
Taking advantage of opportunity when
there were United States vessels in those
waters. he sailed into the harbor of Honolulu.
with coors flying. hauled down the Hawaiin
flag. and annexed the islands in the name of his
Queen. Measures were at once taken to estab
lish the position which had been assumed by
the English government, and for two months
he a q
the Kings palace and Aluoan Halle. There
had not been even the preterse of an excuse for
this breach of international comfy. and natives
and foreign residents alike were indignant over
the outrage.
News of the affair sent as posi-
Bile to the United States government. Admiral
Porter, who commanded the Pacific squadron of
the United States naval forces. was in Peruvian
waters at the time, but as soon he received
word of tie annexation he set sail imm ediately
for Honolulu without waiting for orders from
Washington. About two months after the Brit
ish exploit Admiral Porter arrived at Honolulu,
and compelled the British adm iral to haul down
the British flag and beat hasty and undignified
retreat, under penalty of an Immediate ma val en-
gagement The Hawaiian colors then
hoisted. amid great rejoicings, and the reins of
the government were restored to the King. The
United States government promptly approved
Admiral Porters action. and from that day for
ward took an enlarged interest in Hawaiian af-
fairs. The treaty of reciprocity followed. but
that wasn't enough. The annexation incident
was too forcible reminder of the advantages of
the islands a naval station to be overlooked.
ION two different occasions [ know
from the records of the Hawaiian Foreign Of
flee, which have seen, the Hawaiian govern
ment offered the United States protectorate
over the islands Not caring to assume the
sponsibillties Of such position. the United
States government declined both offers but be-
gan negotiations for the establishment of
coaling supply and repair station the island
of Oahu. near Honolulu The result OF these
negotiations the Pearlriver harbor bill,
which presented to Congress last year and
placed on file. Among tho arguments advanced
in favor of the bill was the need of a station
more convenient to the vessels of the Pacific
squadron. AS it is now San Francisco is the
nearest point for them, and for the ships sta
toned in Asiatic waters it is altogether far
for them to go for repairs and provisions. The
islands would be . central and convenient loca-
ton for ALL Then, too. the entire Pacific coast
ia wholly unprotected in the way of fortifca-
TONS and this makes tho necessity of strong
naval protection very apparent.
This. l believe includes the sum and sub
stance of the designs Of the United States upon
assertion of our displeasure at the change of
Ka!akauas Cabinet Gibsons influence
the King paramount at all times and he
was enough of schemer to take advantage of it
to further his ends During his incum-
bency as Premier he sought every means to ad-
vance American interests in the kingdom, and it
upon his advice that the protectorate was
twice offered to the United States. His scheme
was to secure the annexation of the islands by
us and then, a reward for his services in that
direction he looked forward to being ultimately
appointed Governor of the islands. OF course
these high aims OF his hopelessly de-
stroyed.
''Why the United States should entertain any
objection to the change in the Cabinet is more
than can say, unless it be that the new
Cabinet is likely to oppose the Pearl-river har-
Dor project. That Is not very probable, though,
as the government is composed entirely of
Americans and they belong to party in which
the American element pTedominateS."
The Cheape st Food for Pigs.
Springfield Republican.
Feeding experiments with pigs is the subject
of the July bulletin of the agricultural expert
ment station at Amherst. The conclusions
reached follows: Judging from our own
experience there remains but little doubt when
Oh IF Cd Sc